Your body's natural reaction to the pain caused by contractions in labor may not allow you to cope effectively. When it comes to labor and birth, there are "better ways" to deal with pain. When you learn how to spot typical pain responses, you can also learn how and what to do instead for better coping. This information is equally important for your birth support person(s), including your partner or family member or friend(s) who will be supporting you in labor.

Tensing up your body's muscles is a natural response to stress and pain. But did you know that doing so actually causes more pain and stress? If you can learn to a) recognize when you're tensing up, and then b) release the tension, you can reduce the amount of overall pain and stress you feel. Of

How would you feel if I told you that today, you would stub your toe over and over for a span of a few hours? (Panic? Fear? Dread?) On the other hand, what if I told you that, today, you would experience a period of discomfort -- perhaps even a long perio

Most birthing moms use some kind of noise -- or lots of noises -- as a way to cope with contractions during labor and birth. It may seem odd or even a little concerning that you could make loud noises in labor, in front of your partner and "strangers" lik

Last year, Lamaze created and released its first-ever online childbirth education courses. The courses allow you to learn at your own pace and in the comfort of your own home. They are broken into different topics and cover a range of issues that help fam

When women give birth in the movies, they are generally portrayed one way: lying down, in bed. But research shows that moving freely in labor improves a woman's sense of control, decreases her need for pain medication, and may reduce the length of her lab

Common sense tells us and research confirms that the Six Lamaze Healthy Birth Practices featured in these video clips and print materials are tried-and-true ways to make birth as safe and healthy as possible.

About the Blog Manager

Cara Terreri is a Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator, certified DONA doula, and a professional writer, editor, and content specialist. She has been part of the Lamaze International team since 2004. Cara manages and writes for the Lamaze parents’ blog, Giving Birth With Confidence. She lives and works in the Orlando, FL, area with her husband and three children.